Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

Extensive usage of antibiotic linezolid associated with ICU outbreak of LRSA

An outbreak of infection due to linezolid and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LRSA) in 12 intensive care unit patients in Spain was associated with transmission within the hospital and extensive usage of the antibiotic linezolid, often used for the treatment of serious infections, with reductions in linezolid use and infection-control measures associated with resolution of the outbreak, according to a study in the June 9 issue of JAMA.

10 Jun 2010

Clarient becomes preferred genetic testing lab for Generation Health

Clarient, Inc., a premier technology and services resource for pathologists, oncologists and the pharmaceutical industry, today announced a new contractual agreement with Generation Health, Inc. (GH). This agreement makes Clarient a preferred genetic testing lab for GH, thereby ensuring reimbursement of diagnostic tests done for GH's nationwide network of payor clients and expanding Clarient's potential market. GH is a genetic benefit management company partially-owned by CVS Caremark, the nation's largest pharmacy healthcare provider.

10 Jun 2010

TeleHealth Services announces new partnership with Desoto Memorial Hospital

TeleHealth Services, the nation's leading provider of healthcare grade televisions and interactive patient education systems, today announced a new partnership with Desoto Memorial Hospital. The Arcadia, Florida based acute care facility chose TeleHealth Services as its interactive patient education provider because of the new functionality of the TIGR technology, custom financing options, and excellent service history in the facility.

10 Jun 2010

AACN endorses scientific statement on prevention of TdP

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses recently endorsed "Prevention of Torsades de Pointes in Hospital Settings," a scientific statement from the American Heart Association, Dallas, and American College of Cardiology Foundation, Washington, D.C.

10 Jun 2010

Study reveals insurance related differences in hospital mortality for AMI, stroke, pneumonia

An analysis of over 150,000 hospital discharges has revealed that there are significant insurance related differences in hospital mortality, length of stay, and costs among working-age Americans (age 18-64 years) hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), stroke, or pneumonia. These three conditions are among the leading causes of non-cancer in-patient deaths in patients under 65 years old. The analysis is published today in the Journal of Hospital Medicine.

10 Jun 2010

Therapies for female sexual dysfunction

Many women experience problems in the bedroom at one time or another. Female sexual dysfunction is not uncommon and although some women and healthcare providers have difficulty discussing it, it has been recognized by the medical community for decades. In fact, for the last twenty years, it has been listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, a manual published by the American Psychiatric Association, used to classify and diagnose psychological disorders.

10 Jun 2010

California to succeed in achieving health insurance exchange: New white paper

One of the most significant provisions contained in the new federal healthcare reform legislation is the establishment of health insurance exchanges designed to provide consumers greater choice and affordability. The legislation mandates that each state launch such exchanges by January 1, 2014.

10 Jun 2010

Free education program highlights advancements in treatment of blood cancers, importance of clinical trials

The John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society have come together to host Partners in Progress: An Expert Panel Discussion on Advancing Therapies for Blood Cancers on Tuesday, June 22 in Hackensack, NJ. This free educational program is for patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers.

10 Jun 2010

Dell announces launch of new state health services practice

As states look to understand and address federal regulatory requirements of healthcare reform, Dell Services today announced the launch of a new practice area to help them implement the technology needed to succeed.

10 Jun 2010

PHT, Entra Health partner to provide integrated data monitoring technology for clinical trials in diabetes

PHT Corporation, the leading provider of electronic patient reported outcome (ePRO) solutions today announced a strategic partnership with Entra Health Systems, an international applied healthcare technology company. Together PHT and Entra Health will provide integrated data monitoring technology for the management of clinical trials for the treatment of diabetes and in trials where blood glucose management plays a critical role in the investigation.

10 Jun 2010

Improvement in Americans' health risk profile will save $945 billion

A 25 percent improvement in the health risk profile of Americans would yield savings of up to $945 billion over the next ten years, according to a report - Savings Potential from Prevention and Risk Reduction for the Commercially Insured- released today by the Center for Health Research (CHR) at Healthways.

10 Jun 2010

Men with MS may require education, support to manage their disease and therapy: Research

New research co-published by Saint Louis University and Express Scripts, Inc., suggests that men with multiple sclerosis may require more education and support to manage their disease and therapy than women with MS. Men also may benefit from more targeted adherence interventions.

10 Jun 2010

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center to implement BioImagene's digital pathology solutions

BioImagene, the leading provider of innovative digital pathology solutions, today announced that they have signed an agreement to equip Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) with their complete suite of digital pathology solutions. DHMC will use iScan Coreo Au™ slide scanner and Virtuoso™ digital pathology application software to streamline laboratory workflow and enhance the Pathology Department's educational and residency programs.

10 Jun 2010

Bayer receives silver Medical Design Excellence Award for CONTOUR USB blood glucose meter

Bayer's CONTOUR® USB meter, the first blood glucose monitor with unique plug & play diabetes management software, today received a silver Medical Design Excellence Award (MDEA). The MDEA recognizes excellence in medical product design and manufacturing. The independent judges for the prestigious award, sponsored by the specialist journal Medical Device and Diagnostic Industry, acknowledged the great innovative power and particularly user-friendly operation of Bayer's CONTOUR USB meter.

10 Jun 2010

GE Healthcare presents interim phase 2 study results of fluciclatide

GE Healthcare, a unit of the General Electric Company, today presented interim phase 2 study results of fluciclatide, in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute, a federal research agency and part of the National Institutes of Health. Fluciclatide is an integrin-targeted radiopharmaceutical under development for oncology PET imaging.

10 Jun 2010

Overall death rate for patients developed complications during hospitalization fell by 23%: AHRQ

Fewer hospital patients died from complications in their health care between 2001 and 2006, but Asians/Pacific Islanders and Hispanics were less likely to survive than either whites or blacks, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

10 Jun 2010

Autism is caused in part by CNVs: Study

An international consortium of researchers from more than 70 universities, including the University of Utah, has reported that a study of nearly 2,300 people supports the growing consensus that autism is caused in part by rare genetic changes called copy number variants.

10 Jun 2010

Medicalis launches Coordinated Imaging Care Solution

Medicalis Corporation announced today the launch of its Coordinated Imaging Care Solution (CICS), an integrated technology platform that provides clinical decision support, e-ordering, and extensive quality tracking that enables comparative effectiveness in medical imaging. The solution provides the broadest set of quality indicators specifically related to medical imaging available.

9 Jun 2010

Union Hospital joins Indiana Network for Patient Care

The Indiana Network for Patient Care (INPC) is expanding to serve patients in Terre Haute and Clinton, Indiana. Union Hospital joins 60 hospitals serving more than 6 million patients throughout the state in a network that allows physicians to securely access necessary information to make decisions critical to patient care.

9 Jun 2010

Hooper Holmes launches iParamed Expedite for insurance applications

Hooper Holmes today introduced iParamed Expedite, a new service that cuts costs and improves accuracy for insurance applications. It is six to seven days faster than current approaches and has been designed to quickly and accurately qualify applicants for life, long-term care, health and Medicare Supplement insurance policies.

9 Jun 2010